COVID-19 Information

We are now offering the updated bivalent COVID-19 boosters to members of the following groups who have already completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series: all Veterans, even if they’re not receiving care from VA, spouses or surviving spouses, caregivers, and CHAMPVA recipients under the authority of the SAVE LIVES Act.

• The updated booster protects against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 as well as the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants
• Individuals who have completed a primary series, including those who have received booster doses and whose last shot was at least two months ago, are eligible for the updated booster
• People 12-17 years old can only receive the Pfizer-BioNTech updated booster
• People 18 years and older can receive either a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna updated booster

If you haven’t received your primary COVID-19 series yet, you should consider getting it now. After you have completed a primary series, you will be eligible for an updated booster two months after your last dose. A primary series can consist of any of the options listed below:

• Two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, two doses of Moderna vaccine, two doses of Novavax vaccine, or one dose of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

Receiving an updated booster will ensure you are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, which will better guard you against severe illness and death from this virus. You will also be able to safely get your flu vaccine at the same time you receive your updated booster. If you’d like to receive your updated COVID-19 booster, or your flu shot, please view the tables below for the vaccination schedules.

Receive a Free Flu Shot in the Community

In addition to being offered by VA, no-cost flu shots will also be available at retail pharmacies and urgent care locations until April 30, 2023. To locate a VA medical facility, in-network urgent care, or retail pharmacy near you, use the VA Locator and follow the steps below:

• Enter the city, state, or postal ZIP code for your location
• Choose a Facility Type from the drop-down menu
• Select VA health for VA medical center locations
• Select Urgent Care, for “All in-network urgent care”
• Select Community pharmacies (in VA’s network)
• Click search
• Choose a provider

As a reminder, universal masking and entrance screening is still in effect at all VA health care facilities, and physical distancing is required in all waiting areas, public areas, and workspaces.

Visit www.prevention.va.gov/flu for more information about flu shots. For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, please visit https://www.va.gov/bay-pines-health-care/programs/covid-19-vaccines/.

The federal government has paused sending free COVID-19 testing kits to Americans, effective Sept. 2. 

If you need a COVID-19 Test, please use the resources below:

• We offer COVID-19 testing to Veterans enrolled in VA health care. Appointments are required. Veterans who wish to be seen at our CWY campus can call 727-398-6661 and press 2 to schedule an appointment with their primary care team. If you receive care at one of our other facilities, please use the information here to connect with your primary care team.
• At-⁠Home Tests at Retailers and Pharmacies: At-⁠home tests are available for sale around the U.S. Check with local retailers and pharmacies to see where at-⁠home tests are available.
• Insurance Reimbursement for At-⁠Home Tests: If you have health insurance through an employer or Marketplace, your insurance will pay you back for 8 at-⁠home tests each month for each person on your plan. Learn more about insurance reimbursement (scroll to number three)

• 15,000+ Free Testing Sites: No-cost antigen and PCR COVID-⁠19 tests are available to everyone in the U.S., including the uninsured, at more than 20,000 sites nationwide. Find resources in your state

After a review of community transmission levels and assessing the potential impact to employees and Veterans across Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, the following guidance for masking requirements are effective immediately.

As always, the health and safety of every employee and those we serve will remain uppermost in our decision-making process as the Executive Leadership Team continues to monitor transmission levels and adjust in accordance with CDC and VACO guidance. Please note adjustments to these locations may occur. We will notify you immediately to any changes.

1. Areas currently identified as High Risk (including the associated waiting areas) require mandatory masking by all employees, Veterans and caregivers/visitors, are as follows:

• Inpatient units (Bldg. 100)
• Emergency Department (Bldg. 100)
• Chemotherapy Infusion Clinic (Bldg. 100 4C)
• Dialysis (Bldg. 100, 4D)
• Domiciliary and Residential Areas (Bldg. 102)
• Residential / Inpatient Mental Health (Bldg. 111 – 2nd and 3rd floors)
• Radiation Oncology Center (Bldg. 107)
• Community Living Centers & Geri PACT Clinic (Bldgs. 71 & 101)
• Fisher House
• Lee County ACC - only
   

2. Areas currently identified as Low Risk offer optional masking for employees and Veterans and are as follows:

• Bldg. 100 – all other areas NOT identified above to include administrative service areas, FMS/HTM Shops/CEP, outpatient clinics and procedure areas, waiting rooms, hallways atriums, Starbucks, Chapel, etc.
• Bldg. 1 – Canteen
• Bldgs. 11, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 35, 36, 37, 54, 110, 300, T205, T206 - All Services/Areas
• All CBOCs
• Lee County Healthcare Center
• Largo Business Office

PLEASE NOTE:  Should a Veteran ask an employee to wear a mask, all employees will comply with this request for the duration of their engagement with the Veteran.

3. Face masking is still required for all individuals (regardless of location) with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection or other respiratory infections or informed by their healthcare providers about their high potential for developing severe diseases.
4. We will remove screening stations at the entrances to our facilities; however, we will maintain operations that support COVID testing for Veterans and employees who may be symptomatic.
5. There are no restrictions on number of personnel in an office for determination of masking requirements. Ensuring persons are well spaced remains critical to this decision. This also includes large groups in adequate space and per room size limitations.
6. Masking stations will be available across the healthcare system for employees and Veterans who may need a mask.
7. Those who are symptomatic are encouraged to always place health and safety first. We recommend getting a COVID test, staying home, and or rescheduling appointments.
8. The health, safety, and welfare of our Veterans and visitors seen throughout Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, as well as our employees, always remains the top priority. These changes are subject to change as determined by community transmission levels, surges and/or high rate of positive cases. We will communicate those changes as quickly as possible. Your understanding and support remain critical as we work to provide you the best environment possible to work and receive world-class healthcare.  

Effective Monday, March 20, 2023, the COVID-19 testing requirements for asymptomatic Veterans before elective or Emergency Department Admissions will cease at all of Bay Pines VA Healthcare System's (BPVAHCS) locations. In reaching that decision, the BPVAHCS Clinical and Nursing leadership have reviewed various preadmission COVID testing results. The available evidence included baseline C.W.Y data and James A. Haley VA Medical Center results suggesting no increase in COVID transmission to patients or staff after limiting preadmission testing to symptomatic patients.

If the community levels or county hospitalizations become high, resumption of testing may be necessary.